Cyprus

Only five of Cyprus’ 21 groundwater systems in good condition

By: SigmaLive English

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- Only five of Cyprus’ 21 groundwater systems are in good condition; the remaining 16 are classified as poor, mainly due to a negative water balance.
- The five systems in good condition are Maroni, the Treminthos riverbed, Germasogeia, Paphos and Mari-Kalo Chorio, making them less vulnerable to shortages.
- Fourteen groundwater systems have good water quality, but Androlikou and Lefkara-Pachna are rated poor, and western Mesaoria groundwater is unfit for human consumption.
- The government says it is strengthening water security through recycled water, infrastructure upgrades, reduced network losses, conservation and desalination by 2030.
- Cyprus produced 32.6 million cubic metres of recycled water in 2025, with 93% used directly or indirectly and almost 37% of irrigation needs covered.

Only five of Cyprus’ 21 groundwater systems are in good condition, while the remaining 16 are classified as poor, mainly because of a negative water balance, according to monitoring data.

The findings highlight the pressure on the island’s water resources as drought risks increase. The government is responding with a combination of measures, including greater use of recycled water, new infrastructure, reduced network losses and water-saving initiatives.

Only five groundwater systems in good condition

The five groundwater systems rated in good condition in both quantity and quality are Maroni, the Treminthos riverbed, Germasogeia, Paphos and Mari-Kalo Chorio. These systems are considered less vulnerable to water shortages.

Fourteen of the 21 systems have good water quality. Androlikou and Lefkara-Pachna are rated poor in terms of quality.

Androlikou has recorded negative groundwater level readings, while levels in Lefkara-Pachna are falling. The latter is not recommended as a source for drinking water. Measurements in the western Mesaoria area also show that groundwater is unfit for human consumption.

The systems identified as highly vulnerable to drought are Kokkinochoria, the Treminthos riverbed, Kiti-Pervolia, Softades-Vasilikos, Maroni, Mari-Kalo Chorio, Limassol, Akrotiri, Paramali-Avdimou, Letymvou-Giolou, Peyia, Chrysochou-Gialia, the Chrysochou riverbed, Central and Western Mesaoria, and Lefkara-Pachna.

Government plans to strengthen water security

The effectiveness of government water policy and the obstacles to fully using recycled water remain subjects of debate.

The government maintains that its policy has not failed, while acknowledging the need to address weaknesses and adjust its strategy as conditions change. It also stresses that no single measure, whether dams or desalination plants, can solve the water problem on its own.

Forecasts are regularly updated to reflect changes in water inflows, consumption and the commissioning of new projects.

The overall strategy combines increased water production, lower losses from distribution networks, greater use of recycled water, infrastructure upgrades, water conservation and a review of long-term water policy.

By 2030, the government aims to strengthen Cyprus’ resilience to water shortages through infrastructure projects, desalination and water-saving measures.

Recycled water produced through tertiary treatment of urban wastewater is central to this strategy because it provides a steady supply that does not depend on rainfall.

Recycled water meets almost 37% of irrigation needs

Cyprus is among the EU’s leading countries in recycled water use, with one of the highest recovery rates.

In 2025, the island produced 32.6 million cubic metres of recycled water, of which 30.1 million cubic metres were used directly or indirectly. The utilisation rate increased from 89% in 2023 to 90% in 2024 and 93% in 2025.

Around 90% of recycled water goes to agriculture, covering almost 37% of the country’s total irrigation needs.

In 2024, approximately 20 million cubic metres of recycled water were supplied for irrigation, compared with 33 million cubic metres from dams.

About 55% of recycled water is used directly to irrigate crops, while 30% is used indirectly to replenish aquifers, allowing the water to be recovered later.

Recycled water also helps protect Cyprus against drought by irrigating crops and green spaces, leaving an equivalent amount of fresh water available for drinking supplies.

Its nutrient content can support agricultural production and help sustain traditional farming in dry conditions. Where recycled water is used to replenish groundwater, including at Ezousa and Akrotiri, it can also help limit seawater intrusion and improve the quality of coastal aquifers over time.

Infrastructure and storage remain major obstacles

Despite the progress, some recycled water remains unused or is temporarily discharged into the sea. Making full use of available supplies depends on technical and geographical factors, including the need for extensive transport networks and storage facilities.

Sewage treatment plants are often located far from agricultural areas that require irrigation. Wastewater is generated throughout the year, but demand for irrigation rises sharply during the summer. Water quality must also meet the requirements of its intended use.

Discharges of treated wastewater into the sea are subject to strict environmental conditions and permits. The government’s objective is to replace such discharges with infrastructure for storing and transporting recycled water.

Limassol provides an example of large-scale use, with 13 million cubic metres of recycled water supplied annually for irrigation.

New projects expected to increase recycled water supply

Further investment is needed to make full use of the growing volumes of recycled water expected from sewage treatment plants.

Connecting all households and businesses to sewerage systems is expected to generate an additional 22 million cubic metres of recycled water annually. New sewage treatment plants planned by 2030 are also expected to increase production.

The National Investment Plan for Water Projects includes a €25.7 million recycled water project in Larnaca, alongside projects in Nicosia, Limassol and the free Famagusta district.

Meanwhile, the Water Development Department has drawn up a risk management plan under EU Regulation 2020/741 to safeguard public health, the environment and water quality.

Also read: Cyprus 2027 state budget draws mixed reactions
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